African Union CIEFFA hosts the 5^TH YOUTH CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ON GIRLS & WOMEN’S EDUCATION in Kigali, Rwanda

“Girls and Women’s Education, and climate change: connecting the dots to build sustainable and resilient communities”

African Union CIEFFA Staff, Officials from Ministry of Education, Rwanda, Facilitators and Participants

Youth from 40 African Union Member States, Traditional leaders from Burkina Faso, Eswatini and Cote d’Ivoire gathered at M Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda on the 1^st of December 2022 for the Official launch of the 5^th Youth Capacity Building Workshop (YCBW) on Girls’ & Women’s Education under the theme “Girls and women’s education, and climate change: connecting the dots to build sustainable and resilient communities” happening in Kigali from 1^st to 4^th December 2022. 

Recognizing the important role that African youth play as change makers; both at grassroots and national levels in advocating for gender equality in and through education, the African Union CIEFFA since 2017 convenes young African women and men from African Union Members States working as advocates for girls and women's education (GWE) in their countries and local communities for an annual capacity building program. The peculiarity of this year Worskhop is the inclusion of Traditional and religious Leaders championing Girls’ education in their communities.

Mrs. Simone Yankey-Ouattara, Ag. Coordinator of the African Union CIEFFA welcomed all the participants and delivered a speech on behalf of HE. Prof Mohammed Belhocine Commissioner of AUC-ESTI. She expressed appreciation to the Republic of Rwanda for hosting the workshop. She congratulated the exceptional youth for being selected among more than 4500 applicants from across Africa and the diaspora. She expressed that the 5^th YCB “serves as a great opportunity for you to benefit from experts on this topic and especially on the impact of climate change on girls’ education in Africa and also for you to meaningfully contribute to the topical issue”

Ms. Rose Baguma, Director General of Policy Analysis, Rwanda Ministry of Education used the opportunity of this workshop to congratulate the African Union on aligning Girls and Women’s Education with climate change, as well as AU CIEFFA’s commitment to meaningfully engage and upskill young people in Africa. She noted that Rwanda is committed to gender equality in different domains, including educational, financial inclusion and equity. ‘As Rwanda, we are committed to sharing best practises, and opening our doors to those who wish to learn and share ideas with us. Rwanda is invested in Investing in girls education is a key driver in bridging existing gaps in education, this providing resilient and sustainable communities’ – she noted.

Throughout the workshop participants will be capacitated by experts on advocacy, and leadership skills to promote girls’ and women’s education with a view of building a community of champions of education at national and community level, especially in the context of Climate Change.

African Union International Centre for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa

AU/CIEFFA is a specialized institution of the African Union under the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. The Centre aims to promote girls’ and women’s education with a view towards their full participation in the eradication of poverty and the edification of a peaceful world for sustainable human development. http://www.cieffa.org

African Union CIEFFA contacts

Saifeddine Ben Mhenni | Partnership and Outreach officer | AU/CIEFFA | Email: BenMhenni@africa-union.org

Boubakar Yougbare | Programs Officer | AU/CIEFFA |Email: BoubakaryY@africa-union.org

African Union contact

Ms Faith Adhiambo | Communications Officer-Agenda 2063 | African Union Commission | E-mail: OchiengJ@africa-union.org